16.1% of New Domestic COVID-19 Cases in the Past Two Weeks Have Unclear Infection Routes

In South Korea, where the spread has relatively slowed, large and small cluster infections continue in hospitals, small gatherings, and funeral halls. Patients with unknown infection routes accounted for 177 of the 1,100 new confirmed cases reported in the past two weeks (October 2-14), representing 16.1%.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of the 15th, the United States recorded an average of 55,290 new daily COVID-19 cases over the past week. In Europe, lockdown measures are expanding to curb the spread of the epidemic, signaling that the global autumn resurgence of COVID-19 is becoming a reality.

Despite criticism from the WHO and epidemiologists, the U.S. White House is reportedly considering a “herd immunity” strategy that allows the virus to spread among younger populations while focusing on protecting vulnerable groups such as the elderly, highlighting the severity of the situation.

The U.S., with a cumulative total of 7.72 million confirmed cases and 210,000 deaths, currently has over 30,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations nationwide. In Wisconsin, where hospitalizations have exceeded 1,000, a field hospital is being established to secure additional beds.

The resurgence of COVID-19 in Europe is also worsening daily. In France, where it is projected that 90% of intensive care unit beds will be occupied by the end of next week, a nighttime curfew will be imposed for four weeks starting from the 17th in nine cities including Paris.

In the Netherlands, which recorded 7,000 new daily cases, authorities have warned that if this trend continues, 75% of regular hospital treatments will be canceled. Italy has banned private gatherings and amateur sports events, while Spain has declared a state of emergency in its capital Madrid, restricting movement outside city boundaries.

In South Korea, where the spread has relatively slowed, clusters of infections continue in hospitals, private gatherings, and funeral homes. Among the 1,100 new confirmed cases reported over the past two weeks (October 2?14), 177 cases (16.1%) have unknown infection routes, more than three times the 5% threshold for Level 1 social distancing. This indicates that complacency could lead to a sudden explosive increase.

Notably, cluster infections have occurred in facilities with high risks for elderly infections, such as a medical device wholesale company in Songpa-gu, a hospital in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, and a nursing hospital in Buk-gu, Busan.

For this reason, health authorities plan to conduct comprehensive COVID-19 testing next week for 160,000 workers in elderly care hospitals and psychiatric hospitals in the metropolitan area.

In this regard, since April, Gangnam-gu has been proactively conducting random specimen tests on elderly residents and workers in vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals, nursing homes, and daycare centers to prevent infections. So far, no confirmed cases have been detected.

Furthermore, with the expansion of in-person classes starting on the 19th, many residents may be concerned. Gangnam-gu will work with the education office to ensure that school quarantine guidelines are properly implemented.

As of the 16th, the cumulative number of confirmed cases is 286, with no new cases reported on the previous day or the day itself. Meanwhile, a resident in their 70s from Daechi-dong who was diagnosed on the 16th of last month passed away on the 14th.

Currently, Gangnam-gu is managing 762 individuals in self-quarantine, including 720 overseas arrivals and 42 domestic contacts.

The cumulative number of specimen tests conducted at the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center screening clinic is 61,422. Among the 244 tests conducted the previous day, 49 were overseas arrivals and 195 were domestic residents.

On this day, Gangnam-gu confirmed four cases from other regions at CJ Telenix in Sinsa-dong. Disinfection was carried out, and 104 employees who worked in the same office were placed under self-quarantine. As of the afternoon of the 16th, specimen tests are underway for 271 employees excluding the confirmed cases.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.